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5 Summer staycation ideas
With the gas prices soaring and vacation days numbered, instead of venturing into faraway lands, why not enjoy a staycation in your own backyard this summer? There is much more to it than playing “I spy” or tic-tac-toe to keep you and the kids sane. We’ve put together 5 great ideas to help pass the time and make your staycation one to remember.
Pool parties
The family can have hours of fun this summer simply by staying cool in the pool. If you don’t have enough room for a full-sized pool, a kiddie pool or the garden sprinkler will be enough to get the little ones laughing.
A snorkel and goggles will make for fun exploring in the pool or finding a “lost” loonie. And a volleyball net installed across the pool is also a great way to get the kids active, splashing and making spectacular dives!
If you need a little protection from the sun, stick a beach umbrella into a bucket of sand, or just wear a hat and sunscreen.
BBQ bash
There is nothing better than a BBQ gathering with friends and family for laugh-out-loud fun, tasty fare, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Get two men together and challenge them to a cook-off—watch as both push their macho-BBQ cooking skills to the limit. Perhaps Dad could pass on his legacy to the children and turn them into black-belt BBQ chefs too.
If your BBQ is rusty or not grilling like it used to, maybe it’s time to invest in a new one. Invite friends for a BBQ steak-and-wine night and ask them to bring a bottle of red from their favourite Ontario winery or a far-off country.
Camping
Camping in the backyard is a great way to “rough it” for a night—with the convenience of indoor plumbing when nature calls. Set up a couple of 2-person tents (one for adults and one for kids) along with sleeping bags, a lantern and bug spray.
To make it a full camping experience, try roasting some hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire or firepit—the perfect venue for late-night ghost stories! And if it’s a clear night, observe the moon through a telescope or binoculars.
Stargazing
Introduce your kids to the universe with nothing more than a clear night sky and a telescope. An entry-level telescope is great for seeing the moon up close. If you have an SLR camera, consider getting an SLR adaptor for taking photos of far off planets and stars.
Look for Mars (red) and Saturn (pale yellow) in the evening sky over the summer months in Canada. On a good night, you might even spot Saturn’s rings. Early to mid-August is good for catching the meteor showers, otherwise known as the Perseids, as they light up the sky.
Scavenger hunt
Spark your kids’ sense of adventure by organizing a scavenger hunt with fun clues and riddles. Have them dress up like Indiana Jones, and find fun (and safe) hiding places for treasures.
Leave a trail of surprises, or clues to a fancy prize. For extra delight on their faces, buy some toys that’ll give them further enjoyment over the summer—like a Frisbee, water pistol, whistle, baseball and gloves, and balloons. Make sure everyone gets their fair share of rewards so the day ends in laughter rather than tears!
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